ADA, Okla. (KTEN) — The City of Ada is enforcing a new policy for dilapidated houses.

"We really want to see these neighborhoods be liveable for everyone, and it is our job as public servants to help with that," said Staci Bungard the City of Ada's community development director. "It is not about taking property from anyone. It's about trying to build better neighborhoods."

The city plans to work with homeowners on either demolishing run-down and dangerous structures or redeveloping them into a livable and safe space.

"This stems from a major emphasis on our housing here in Ada; just like many other communities, we are short on housing units," Bungard explained. "We’re trying to help alleviate the shortage. We think the policy for the dilapidated houses will streamline the process and incentivize homeowners to tear down or remedy dilapidated, dangerous structures and make a more desirable and livable community."

Property owners will receive notice when a structure has been judged to be dilapidated and will need to attend their scheduled hearing. 

"They can bring any evidence they might have disputing the fact or claim that the house is dilapidated, and then from there, the code enforcement officers would make the decision if the house is dilapidated or not," said Melissa Jones, office manager of Ada's community development department. 

People who decide to remodel the house will get a 30-day permit to bring it into compliance. 

If significant progress on the home is made, then the owners could receive up to two 30-day extensions. 

"The majority end up coming down, but we have seen a few in the short time that I’ve been here, which is about a year, that are really good success stories," Bungard said. "Where you see an old structure come back to life, and then a family is living in it, and that is success to us."

District Attorney Erik Johnson, also a long-time resident of Ada, believes the new policy is a win for the city. 

"We’ve had some issues already within the city of Ada; filing charges against some vagrants that habited some homes and were stealing utility services. I’m glad to see the City of Ada address these concerns," Johnson explained.